Iguazú Department: Discover Waterfalls, Selva and Nature
Accommodation in Iguazú Department
In Iguazú Department, water and Selva shape many of the experiences described here. Parque Nacional Iguazú combines trails along the falls with walks, wildlife watching and activities on the Río Iguazú. The national park was established in 1934 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. When planning your trip, it is worth exploring the different types of trails and excursions.
Walkways and trails in Parque Nacional Iguazú
The Paseo Inferior runs for 1,750 metres along walkways with stairs beside the falls of the Río Iguazú. Here, you can experience the cascading water up close. The Paseo Superior is a one-way loop trail that is 1,850 metres long. Its walkways have no stairs and are accessible to all groups of visitors. The two trails therefore differ both in length and in route.
A 1,100-metre walkway without stairs over the upper riverbed of the Río Iguazú leads to Garganta del Diablo. If you are considering a longer route through the Selva instead of the walkways, you can take Sendero Macuco: the round trip is 7 kilometres in total, and along the way you can watch birds and explore the Selva. These different routes give you a reason to consider which type of trail interests you most when planning your day.
Admission to Parque Nacional Iguazú includes Sendero Verde, Tren Ecológico, Circuito Superior, Circuito Inferior, Circuito Garganta del Diablo, Sendero Macuco and Centro de Visitantes. Tren Ecológico de la Selva runs from Estación Central to the Cataratas and Garganta stations. So, in addition to the trails, the train ride within the park and the visitor centre are among the activities included in the admission price.
Selva, water and activity
Another way to experience the landscape along the upper Río Iguazú is Paseo Ecológico: from the Garganta del Diablo station, you can explore the islands in the upper river by rowboat. If you prefer to get around by bicycle, Parque Nacional Iguazú has Camino del Yaguareté. This moderately difficult cycling route leads to the upper Río Iguazú and Puerto Canoas. Bicycles, helmets and gloves are included. The route is suitable for people aged 10 and over; advance reservation is required, and places are limited.
Parque Provincial Esperanza also offers a different perspective on the Selva. It protects an area of 686 hectares, extending from Sierra Morena to the private Refugio Aguaraí-mi. The Uragua-í and Aguaray-Guazú streams flow through the park. For those interested in nature and landscape, this protected area and its streams offer options in the department alongside the trails and river islands in the national park.
Wildlife, culture and regional cuisine
At Jardín de los Picaflores, you can watch free-flying hummingbirds. In an environment with native flora, they feed on flowers, fruits and seeds. At Refugio Güirá Ogá, trails lead through a rescue, rehabilitation and breeding centre for endangered birds, mammals and reptiles. If you would like to discover wildlife in different ways, you can consider these two nature experiences alongside birdwatching on Sendero Macuco.
At Hito Tres Fronteras, you can see where the Iguazú and Paraná rivers meet, as well as the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Close to the destination, the La Aripuca theme park offers insights into deforestation, environmental protection and Guaraní culture. Minas de Piedras Semipreciosas de Wanda comprises tunnels and galleries: semi-precious stones are mined there in an open-pit operation, and you can observe the extraction process.
Regional cuisine in Puerto Iguazú often features river fish and grilled meat. When choosing a holiday apartment, you might first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: trails by the falls, nature and wildlife watching, the river landscape, or culture and cuisine. These different themes offer a range of starting points for planning your trip, without any one excursion defining the character of the entire department.
Places in the department
To explore more of the department, you can also discover these places: Cataratas Del Iguazú, Wanda and Puerto Esperanza.
For the broader travel overview: Misiones.
More destinations
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